By Your Stripes, I am Healed

About 3 nights ago, I suffered two seizures back to back. It is starting to just annoy me. I am 20 yrs old and I am still dealing with something that has been for the past 8 yrs. When is this ever gonna stop???? Even my arm was temporarily paralyzed and in major pain...and still is. Don't ask me how I am typing this blog at this moment? It's nothing but a miracle from above. What's so funny about my seizures is that the day after I had them, I got onto Facebook (this is after I came back from the Doc) to just check if I had any messages or to see who I could chat with for the moment. To my surprise, this guy who I really don't know just started chatting with me and asking how I was doing. As I told him what happened to me the night before, he told me that "God had told him to just ask me how my day was going." He turned out to be an excellent prayer, as he prayed for me to be healed. "BY YOUR STRIPES I AM HEALED...SAY IT!!!!!" He kept chanting this thru the Facebook chat. Not only did it end there, but later that night, when one of my best friends (brother) came to visit me, he prayed the same prayer of healing for me, and I was just astounded with nothing to say. All I could do at that moment was smile, a smile that nobody else understood at that moment but myself. THANK YOU GOD. THANK YOU!!!! INDEED, BY YOUR STRIPES I AM HEALED!!!!

SCHOOL DAZED!!!

It's been a long time since I was last on. More than two weeks to be exact. However, the reason for this is that I was preparing for my Fall Semester at the controversial Bowie State University. Don't ask me why it is controversial! I was working on obtaining my housing and paying my tuition and just getting things done in bulk before school started on August 30th. By God's grace, everything was paid for; all my expenses which include books and a meal plan, among other things. I will tell you one thing though; Despite the drama that goes on at Bowie, I love this school because this is like my second family. In fact, I might see the people on campus more than I get to see my own family. They are family to me, and this is home to me. Just call it a LOVE/HATE relationship. That's what Bowie is to me.

The first day of classes (August 30th) went well. I only had one class, and that was Psychology 101. At this point in my life, I really think I should have taken all my required entry level courses when I was still fresh out of high school. But I was just being stubborn and picking only the classes which interested me at the time. My second day of classes (August 31th) was a little bit different. I had a Comparative Politics Course (GOVT 140) which I really liked, but my Anthropology course was just boring, and I knew that this course is going to be one of those challenging ones this semester. But no worries, because I leave everything up to God. Overall, my first few days of classes have been good so far. I was glad to see some of my old professors from last year and make those connections which WILL come in handy once I graduate and I need letters of recommendation to get into a good school for the Graduate Level. In this economy, it is important to know people not when you get to the job market, but before you get to the job market. Getting to know your professors is very important if you are going to be a successful student and a successful person in life, generally speaking.

This semester, I hope to accomplish a lot. First off, I PLAN on getting AT LEAST a 3.5 GPA. Now, that means I might have to sacrifice my social life for these next four months, but it's okay. There's nothing to do during the fall/winter anyway. I also plan on writing a lot of scholarship essays, which will really drain me mentally. This will take a lot of time, so I am aware that I will have to manage my time well this semester. I am tired of expecting financial aid to cover all of my expenses in higher education, and I am tired of taking out loans. I need to get on my "A" game, literally!!!!

Put God first in everything that you do in this life. Academics are not an exception to the rule! I know that when I put God first in anything, he moves and makes wonderful things happen in my life. So at this moment, I am speaking into existence of an excellent grade point average by the end of the semester. It has already been done in Heaven. Now all I need to do is just BELIEVE and do the work. TO ALL STUDENTS IN ACADEMIA-LAND, HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!!!!

My Cup Runneth Over...

I have never had to experience the type of suffering and mental exhaustion in my life as I have in the past 10 months. I dwell from house to house during the breaks because I don't have a permanent home. I live strictly on God's grace...nothing more, nothing less. I have no dime to my name, but yet God continues to take care of me and give me above and beyond my needs. I am thankful for God's grace, and I know that this is just a test in my life that God will use to make me a better person, and most importantly, he has used my suffering to strengthen my faith. I am faithful that my God will restore everything that I have lost above and beyond what I can imagine. This is why I can't afford to lose my trust in my FATHER.

In the midst of all my trials, it is funny and no coincidence that God has moved mountains, valleys, and continents for me. Everything I needed was given to me by God as I prayed. Somehow, I always was at the right place at the right time because of all the wonderful things that happened to me this summer while I was volunteering at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. Now that I am back in the DMV(dc, maryland, virginia area), I am facing different trials. My financial aid is not enough to cover both my tuition & room/board. It's either one or the other. But you know what? I am 150% confident that God will work it out in the next week, right in time for my check-in on Monday. I don't know how he'll do it, but I am already starting to see his work take place.

While I await the begininning of the Fall semester in two weeks, I sit and I reflect on the supernatural power of God and all that he has done for me in the past two months alone. Despite me not having a permanent home, this has indeed been the best summer I've had in 4 years. YES, four years. And 4 years ago, I had a permanent home. It is indeed true that God's foolishness is much much much greater than man's wisdom. Never doubt what God can do...or even the type of joy he can bring to your life IN THE MIDST of your trials.  I am living testimony of what God can do for those who STAND THEIR GROUND IN JESUS' NAME. Amen? AAAAA-MEN!!!!

U Gotta Have FAITH.

Lately, I have been dealing with some things that have caused me to believe some of the devil's lies, lies like 'God is not listening to your prayers' or 'You will never have peace of mind'. I had a lot of rage in me that was tamed but needed to be let out. Thank God he sent my brother at the exact right moment and a bunch of other people like my supervisor at the Billy Graham library to talk to me, and give me the chance to vent. I keep learning that we fight not against people, but the evil spirits inside them. Never let the devil lie to you and tell you that people can't be changed just because they are the way that they are at that given moment. You don't know what God has planned for that person to get saved or repent of their sins if they are already saved. You keep praying no matter what.

That's when Faith comes into place. Faith is the belief of things not seen. So when people tell you that praying is not going to help, that is the devil using them to water down the Faith that you have in your heavenly Father. I have recently learned that my Faith is what has kept me all this time in the midst of persecution by some of my loved ones and some. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This means that you shouldn't worry about the food you will eat and the roof over your head. When you put God first in your life, all these things will literally be handed to you. Again, Faith plays a big part in this, even with things like family conflict. Don't try to fix family problems by yourself. Put God first and he will work everything out. FAITH is very important. Build up your FAITH in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and God promises to give you PEACE!

Serving...not waiting to be Served...

My dear brothers and sisters: What I am about to tell you, please listen carefully. It is very simple, yet very hard for most to accept. What I want to tell you today is that IT IS BETTER TO SERVE THAN TO BE SERVED. Now some of you might have had a very hard life growing up. Maybe your parents or "parent" in some cases struggled to make ends meet. I understand that growing up like that can really do some psychological damage to some people when they become adults. Some feel they have to do WHATEVER it takes to get to the top, including running over other people, or in other words, back-stabbing them. Well, let me tell you, and let GOD tell you that you don't have to hurt others to get to the top. Most importantly, greed is not the way, and money is not everything. God will move mountains for his children who choose to live a life of servitude to him and others. This is my testimony of what God can do for his children who serve him:

My brother Edmund and I have been in Charlotte, NC this whole summer. We have been living (surviving) off nothing but God's mercy, and when I tell you how powerful FAITH is, there were many times I thought I would be homeless and without a dime, but God delivered. You see, I have been serving the Lord not too long...since November of 2009. Not long ago. In April, I went on my first week-long mission trip not too far from where I grew up...in and around the Washington, DC area neighborhoods...mostly in the highly disadvantaged neighborhoods of Anacostia in Southeast and I served there for about a week, but what I saw in one week changed my life forever.

Secondly, this summer, I decided to tag along with my brother Ed to see his parents in Charlotte for the summer. I know God led me here, because both Ed and I were given a wonderful opportunity to serve in the famous Billy Graham Library in our time here.

As if serving in the Billy Graham Library isn't enough of a big deal and just a pure blessing from God, our supervisor loved our testimonies so much, that she decided to interview us for an article about volunteering opportunities at the Billy Graham Library and those who have stepped up to the plate to do God's work. Edmund and I were among the volunteers mentioned within the article and both our pictures were taken. My picture is on the main page of the Billy Graham website under 'Volunteer at the Billy Graham Library': http://www.billygraham.org/. Ed's picture is featured within the article: http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=6175.

I have served God and that's how I know he will always take care of all my needs, and my faith is my most important weapon in this world in which I live. I encourage all believers and non-believers to serve, and not because you feel forced, but because you want to. God has a different plan for each one of his children. His plan for me is to serve and that is my purpose for living today. Faith is also very important. No matter how bad things may seem, just STOP whatever you are doing. Let God deal with your issues. Believe and it shall be done here on Earth.

Servitude is the product of many disadvantaged lives changed, from the people torn apart from their families in deadly earthquakes, to those torn apart from their families through drugs and alcohol. We all complain about how life is this and life is that, but we never stop to think that there's always somebody else in the world who has more problems going on in their life. Think about it!

If you would like more information about the Billy Graham Library, visit the homepage at the following link:
http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/library/BGLibrary_Index.asp.

The East Coast HEAT WAVE....

Am I the only one here who thinks that this weather is acting out? Maybe it's because of the lack of respect we give the planet in which we live. Maybe it's when we pollute the air we breath, the food we eat, and the water we drink. How is it that when I was watching the news yesterday, I found out that the heat wave is coming down south from the northern cities? How is that even possible? What are we doing to harm this beautiful living planet? Armageddon is only a few years away at the most. God will return and destroy this Earth. It is clear that all this is happening because of sin. In addition to the ridiculous 100 degree weather, we've had earthquakes in Haiti, China, Brazil, and California (just the other day). What is happening to our beautiful planet? It's too late for the hybrid cars and the electric/hydrogen/sunflower oil engines. IT IS TOO LATE!!!!

All we can do now is pray and continue to bring those who have been deceived to the GOSPEL. The Gospel is the key. These senseless wars and senseless famines happening around the world are all because of our senseless sins. But God loves us so much that he sent his only begotten son to die for our sins. All of our sins....past, present, and future. God wants all his children to be saved and ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS.....Believe.....FAITH the size of a mustard seed is all you need, and repent for all of your sins, and your name will be written in the book of life. This Earth is slowly being taken away. Eventually God will come and take us out of here, then he will destroy this Earth and recreate it as well as the Heavens. It's time you prepare yourself for a better place...this toxic place is not where any of us are destined to be. And if you already do believe, pray for those family and friends who don't believe yet. God works in mysterious ways, and he always hears your prayers. I hope these words have been refreshing to you. THANK GOD!!!!

~~~The Amazing Charlotte~~~

I am happy to announce that I've temporarily left the stress, boredom, and occasional depression that comes with living in the DC metropolitan area. Where have I decided to spend the rest of my summer? Well, Charlotte, NC. I never originally planned on coming here, since I had no idea that my best friend's parents were going to move to Charlotte from Cleveland, OH. So after they moved, I decided that I would go down South with Edmund to stay with his parents for the summer. I once lived in Atlanta, GA for about 4 months, and I hated it. Therefore, I expected Charlotte to be the same way, since both cities are in the South. Well, I turned out to be wrong. Charlotte is such a wonderful city, and I was most impressed by the peace I felt and the good energy that came from the people who live here. People here are SOOOO laid back, it's not even funny. The thing about DC is that you always have to hustle and bustle just to survive. There is really no time for leisure. There is no time to sit back and unwind. But in Charlotte, it is the complete opposite. Did I mention people are also much nicer down here? It is no surprise considering they have less stress to deal with and the weather is much better down here.

I am so happy to finally have some peace of mind, good energy, and also good scenery. The city is very green in its landscape and architecture. Trees and and flowers are all over the place, despite the urban setting. No pollution, and downtown is just to die for. It is the perfect harmony between City and Country life. There is no wonder why all the major banks decided to move their headquarters to Charlotte. Now, I understand. DID I MENTION PEOPLE ARE SOO SOOO NICE DOWN HERE? I think I did. I am considering moving down here for a while once I am done with my Undergraduate Studies. It would be nice to do my Master's in a Charlotte area school. I'm considering University of North Carolina in Charlotte, one of the best schools in the country. But that's the future, therefore I need not to worry about it now. But wouldn't that be great? I love DC, but I'm also tired of the same ole same ole every day. I'm ready for a change. If you ever consider moving down South, think of Charlotte. I promise, you won't be disappointed.